Such is the passion in Bath for high quality, locally sourced food and drink, the city’s motto should really be ‘Liberty, Equality, Gastronomy’. The Great Bath Feast is a month-long celebration of all things edible, and this year’s event promises to be the biggest, busiest and most filling one yet. From farmers’ markets to cocktail classes, there are 150 events during October that are bound to appeal to anybody with an appetite. To save you the hassle, we have waded through the listings and picked out five events which made our taste buds tingle. If you try any of our recommendations, please do let us know how you get on, either on Twitter, Facebook or Google+. Bon appetit!

Nineteen eateries across Bath will be celebrating the Full English during October by serving high quality, locally sourced breakfasts. For the full list, you can either click the above link or just follow the sumptuous smell of sizzling bacon. There are enough days in October to try them all, but we suggest trying The Hare and Hounds, the Komedia Arts Café & Graze (who list the origins of their ingredients on their website!). All of which leaves you with just one important decision to make: tomato ketchup or brown sauce?

The Thoughtful Bread Company quite thoughtlessly opened their first shop just across the road from Reside this year. Our daily travails now regularly take us past their incredible array of breads, pastries and cakes, and several waistbands in the office have suffered as a consequence. The prospect of a Thoughtful Bread High Tea was too much for this correspondent to resist, and I booked myself in as soon as the Great Bath Feast brochure was released. Finger sandwiches, micro wraps, petits four and double choc ganache brownies are expected to appear on the menu.

Many of us who were glued to BBC1’s Masterchef earlier this year were blown away by the flair and creativity of the eventual winner, and local resident, Ping Coombes’ Malaysian-inspired food. This 4-course menu will contain starters and main course created by Ping, with puddings by Allium Brasserie head chef Chris Staines. The pair are catering four meals over two days and, with half of the sittings already sold out, you’ll have to act quickly if you want to try Ping’s famous Wan Ton Soup!

Yammo! offers authentic and high quality Neopolitan food, and its vibrant atmosphere, passionate staff and stunning pizzas (using a secret pizza dough recipe) have made it a popular destination for visitors and locals alike. The Pizza Show is one of just five different Great Bath Feast events hosted by Yammo! during October, and they promise a breathtaking array of pizza varieties including fried, folded, sweet & savoury. Oh, and if you have any room left at the end, ask to try their misto fritto starter – delizioso!

Bath prides itself on its wide array of very high quality local ales, and the very popular Bath Brew House has its own microbrewery right in the heart of the city. A smoke house is also located at the foot of the beer garden, with their own beer often being used in the smoking process. This evening will take place in the Tank Room, where guests will be invited by the head brewer to match a range of beers with dishes that have been smoked on the premises.

If our blog has set your stomach rumbling, do head out this October and experience The Great Bath Feast. Don’t forget to tweet us to let us know what you get up to – we’re always looking for new places to eat!

Visitors to Bath during September will notice an unusual superfluity of breeches, bonnets and corsets, and a staggering abundance of petticoats, parasols and cravats. For ten days from the 12th of September, hundreds of ‘Janeites’ will flock to Bath in full Regency costume as part of the annual celebrations of the life and work of Jane Austen.

In anticipation of the fourteenth Jane Austen Festival, we have unearthed some fascinating facts about Jane and her creations. Whether you are a Bingley, a Bennet or a Darcy, we hope it will help you to find your festival spirit!

She had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!

Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice

In 1801, George Austen retired as rector of Steventon in Hampshire and relocated to Bath. The couple had married there nearly forty years previously and had family in the area. In tow were their two unmarried daughters, Cassandra Elizabeth and Jane; being an affluent and fashionable city, the Austens may have also been hoping to find a couple of single men in possession of good fortunes for their daughters.

The search for a suitable property was long and arduous – Westgate Buildings was ‘in the lower part of the town’, Laura Place was ‘above our price’ and of Axford’s Buildings Jane wrote, ‘we all unite in particular dislike of that part of the town’. Eventually the family found a townhouse on Sydney Place which suited their requirements. For a family used to the natural landscapes of rural Hampshire, it offered views of the surrounding countryside and was positioned opposite Sydney Gardens, with its labyrinth of which Jane was particularly fond.

Some two hundred or so years later, Sydney Place still retains the period charm and splendour that would have been present in the Austen family home, as well as many original features such as fireplaces and cornices. In the ground floor room which would once have served as George Austen’s study, recent building work uncovered a cast iron safe set into the wall which would have certainly housed family documents and perhaps even the odd early Austen manuscript.

Every floor of the house from the ground floor up has now been tastefully refurbished to include modern comforts whilst acknowledging its Georgian heritage. The ground floor, once a stately dining room and study, now forms an elegant one bedroom apartment with access to a private garden. The first floor, originally a magnificent drawing room spanning the entire width of the building, now also houses a handsome one bedroom apartment with tall sash windows which overlook the Holburne Museum and still provide glimpses of the open countryside which once would have been so apparent. The second floor would have consisted of the Austens’ bedrooms, whilst the top floor housed the servants’ sleeping quarters; both levels now comprise generously sized apartments.

All of the apartments have been beautifully furnished by Bath Boutique Stays and include artwork and literature about Jane Austen herself. If you would like to experience the Austen’s house for yourself, you can arrange a stay with Bath Boutique Stays. More information about this can be found by clicking the Bath Boutique Stays logo below.

For further information about Jane Austen and her time in Bath, we heartily recommend the Austenonly blog which contains a stunning wealth of information. If you have stayed at Jane Austen’s Bath home, or are interested in her life in the city, please do get in touch with us either on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Anyone trying to argue that rugby is not Bath’s sport of choice can expect to incur the wrath of a city proud of a heritage that will be 150 years old next year. However, within drop-kicking distance of The Rec, a second ‘sport’ grips the residents of Bath to such extents that its players can often be seen plying the gravelled playing areas until the dark hours of most summer evenings.

Rather less physical and more well-mannered than its oval-ball counterpart, pétanque has long since been established as a popular pastime for the Bathonian who would rather choose gin over gym. The game is enduringly sociable, affably competitive and is often played with an eye on closing time at the nearest hostelry. The only scrum is the knot of furrowed foreheads knitted together over a cluster of tightly grouped boules, desperately trying to fathom which sphere has crept closest to the tiny coche.

Across Bath, several gravel pistes host competitive matches throughout the summer. Serene Alexandra Park, on Bear Flat, is known as a luscious deep playing area with spectacular views over the city, whilst the sparse and unreliable surfaces within busy Queen Square often draw intrigued spectators, many of whom are foreign to the city and are captivated by this quintessentially French yet somehow very English game. A new floodlit terrain is currently being developed at Larkhall Sports Club, with the help of a £23,185 grant from Sport England. Such luxuries will be warmly welcomed by anyone who has ever relied on passing car headlights when completing a closely-fought game in the dark.

As well as summer-long leagues which often provoke Bath vs. Gloucester levels of rivalry and sportsmanship, a two day affair in the midst of summer has become a popular tradition and a raging success. Bath Boules is a non-profit event that raises money for local charities; it has become so popular with local boules teams and businesses that online registration for this year’s competition was open for just one hour before all of the places had been snapped up. Based in Queen Square, the games spill over onto the rugged footpaths and mossy arteries which sprawl around the bustling arena. Pleasingly sponsored by, amongst others, Champagne Jacquart, the weekend represents all that is brilliantly social, fun and slightly eccentric about the game.

As for Reside, we have a band of five fearless, if rather erratic, boules joueurs who compete in Bath’s Thursday League. We are also proud to be a sponsor of Bath Boules 2014, and look forward to being involved in this fantastic tradition for the first time this year.

If you happen to see our fleet of five pétanque pros gathered in Queen Square, trying to claw their way back from the brink of another defeat against one of the seasoned campaigners who we often find ourselves up against, please do pop by to watch and say hello. We also post weekly updates on our progress on Twitter because this is Bath’s second sport, after all.

In Plaque To The Future, our first blog in this series looking at Bath’s array of historical plaques and the stories behind them, we focused on five of the city’s most distinguished former residents. In our second blog on this subject, we have carefully combed through the names which adorn our Georgian walls and looked into the lives of five lesser known characters.

Online research being what it is, we have decided to avoid one website which informed us that Jacob von Hogflume, inventor of time travel, dwelt on Milsom Street a mere three hundred years before his birth. Not only are the below plaques real, they also come with very interesting stories.

1. Sir James Brooke

Although Brooke spent part of his youth in Bath, he built a significant reputation as far afield as Sarawak, a Malaysian state on the island of Borneo, where he was appointed Rajah by the Sultan of Brunei. In 1833, the 30 year old James Brooke splashed a £30,000 inheritance on a 142 tonne schooner which he promptly navigated to Borneo. Upon his arrival, he assisted in quelling the uprising against the Sultan, thereby winning his affections and, in 1841, he was granted the governorship of Sarawak – a title which he kept until his death in 1868.

The Brooke dynasty, known as the ‘White Rajahs’, continued to rule Sarawak until the Japanese invasion in 1941. Unlike other British occupancies during the same era, the Brookes endeavored to protect the indigenous population against exploitation, and by 1941 were working towards a new, more democratic constitution.

2. William Smith

29 Pulteney StreetIn this house, William Smith, the father of English geology, dictated “The Order Of The Strata” December 11th 1799

During his lifetime, William Smith was the great unsung hero of British Geology. He has since been credited with creating the first nationwide geological map, as well as the first ever large scale map of the area around Bath, but was shunned by his contemporaries and the scientific community. It is thought that his humble education and upbringing prevented him from moving in particularly learned circles. As a result, his work was plagiarised and flogged at a fraction of the cost for which he was trying to sell it.

His famous map of Great Britain, for which he spent his unemployed years traveling the length and breadth of the country, did not receive the credit it deserved until 1831 when Smith was formally recognised by Geological Society of Great Britain. By this point, he had spent time in a debtor’s prison and his home had been seized by bailiffs.

3. James Quin

James Quin was a celebrated thespian whose colourful antics makes the lives of today’s Hollywood stars seem particularly humdrum by comparison. At the age of 25, with a couple of high profile performances under his belt, the actor was convicted of manslaughter for killing another actor in a duel. The general public, however, viewed this as more of an accident than a tragedy, as the victim had provoked the standoff, rather than Quin. Not to be dissuaded by this experience, Quin had an almost identical episode later in his career when accosted by a younger actor who had taken offense at some sarcastic criticism from his elder fellow performer. When heated words turned to voilence, Quin drew his pistol and killed the man, with similarly forgiving legal consequences. Quin’s confidence in the face of danger even followed him into the theatre, where he once drew his weapon on a drunk who had taken to the stage and threatened the life of the venue’s manager.

Away from the threats of drunken punters and bitter actors, Quin enjoyed a remarkable career in the theatre, populating some of London’s best known stages with high profile Shakespearean interpretations, including a great working rivalry with David Garrick, whose attempted to lure Quin away from his theatrical home in Covent Garden. Instead of accepting the bait from one of theatre’s most influential names, Quin used the offer to elicit a salary of £1000 per year from his manager which, by my calculations, equates to a modern annual salary of about £85,000.

4. Frederic Weatherly

Fred Weatherly was a barrister who, unlike others in this blog, remained rooted to the West Country for the majority of his life. Born and raised in Portishead, he later moved to Penn Lea Road in Weston, and then on to Edward Street in central Bath. As well as being a practising lawyer and an author of prose publications, Weatherly is undoubtedly best known as a lyricist having written words for more than 3,000 popular songs.

Whilst living in Bath, he wrote a song entitled ‘Danny Boy’ which, to his dismay, was did not meet with great success. Two years later, his Irish-born sister-in-law sent him an old traditional tune called ‘Londonderry Air’; Weatherly matched his lyrics to the tune and the following year gave the song to singer Elsie Griffin. It went on to become one of the most popular songs of the century. Other songs whose lyrics were penned by Weatherly include ‘Roses of Picardy’, one of the most memorable songs from World War I and ‘The Holy City’, a song that earned a mention in James Joyce’s Ulysses.

5. Beau Nash

By far and away our favourite plaque to adorn Bath’s walls, is this aptly slinky gold and black number marking Bath’s dandy and glitzy Master of Ceremonies from 1704 until his death in 1761. Always elegantly, if outrageously, attired (hence the nickname ‘Beau’), Nash was responsible for arranging balls, dances and social gatherings, at which he would ensure that correct and proper conduct was adhered to. At the time, Bath’s natural spa waters and regular visits from royalty were provoking a steady influx of visitors to the city, something which Nash capitalised on to such an extent that Bath’s population grew from 2,000 to 30,000 in the space of just 100 years.

Nash is also credited with introducing a new code of conduct into Bath’s social circles which allowed for greater social integration. He banned swearing in public places, the wearing of swords and even prohibited ‘exhibitions of resentment from either gentlemen or ladies, on the grounds that someone had danced out of turn’. Nash was a great gambler, something which would be part of his making and also his downfall. Whilst the high-flyers flocking to the city reveled in this indulgent pastime, which was closely and conscientiously regulated by Nash, new anti-gambling laws were introduced in 1745 which altered people’s perceptions towards gambling its greatest advocate – Beau Nash. His life ended with him in severe financial straits, but having given the city more than it ultimately gave him.

From Rajahs to dandies to dueling actors and lyricists, Bath’s properties have hosted a fascinating array of characters whose lives have included an astonishing range of accomplishments. But… who have we missed? Is there a jewel amongst Bath’s plaques who we have not yet included in our blogs? If so, let us know on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ and, as long as they’re not called Jacob Von Hogflume, we might include them in our next blog.

An increasing number of contemporary new developments are being surreptitiously smuggled into Bath’s renowned Georgian architecture. Whilst a staggering 14% of buildings in Bath have listed status, well above the national average of 6%, developers have pinpointed certain areas of the city as ripe for a contemporary makeover – something that has gone down very well with both tenants and investors.

The latest addition to the city has seen Red Earth Developments rejuvenate twenty four studio, one and two bedroom apartments with allocated parking in the Lansdown area of Bath. Whilst these apartments do not reflect the traditional period splendour that one has come to expect from property in Bath, their modern and practical finishes have proved popular with tenants, especially with young professionals. At the time of writing, Reside has let six of these apartments for investment landlords, taking an average of just nine days to find each new tenant.

Reside has let apartments in several of Bath’s most recent developments such as Norfolk Court and Ladymead House, and a distinct pattern has emerged. For all the stunning architecture, high ceilings and period features that exist in Bath, there are a wealth of house hunters who are happy to eschew Georgian splendour. Some tenants, it seems, prefer contemporary comforts over classical cornices. Despite the differences between these two developments – one is a Bath Stone-clad new build with a stylish metallic upper tier, the other a Georgian building formerly used as sheltered accommodation for the elderly – they both boast stunning contemporary interiors with integrated appliances under warranty, granite work surfaces and wiring for satellite television and high-speed broadband. All of these factors make moving such an easy transition for new tenants, who have to act quickly to secure such a property. Our most recent Ladymead House apartment was bagged by a tenant before we could even begin to market it.

These new developments have also proved to be a popular way into the market for first time investors. Typically consisting of practical, stylish and high spec apartments, they are targeted towards the more affordable end of the investment property ladder, and come with long warranties which would provide any landlord, no matter how experienced, with peace of mind. At The Coachworks on London Road, Bath’s newest development, as little as £99,000 buys an investor an exclusive and modern apartment with instant access to the city centre. Based on our previous experiences with similar developments, such an apartment would come with strong tenant appeal and would be likely to let very quickly.

Bath is a city renowned worldwide for its stunning Georgian architecture, something for which many tenants specifically move to the city. For investors and certain tenants, however, contemporary and practical properties are becoming increasingly appealing.

If you are a landlord and wish to speak to us concerning your property, new or old, please do not hesitate to contact us.

For many, the peace and romance of Valentine’s Day will be shattered at around 3pm as Bath’s schools jettison an avalanche of excitable children from the sanctuary of the schoolyard and tyrannised teachers hastily secure the gates behind them for a week. With half term upon us, many a hassled household will be doing their best to balance work, life and a tangle of tireless tykes, so it is important to have an impressive armoury of activities at the ready.

Just as well, then, that we have scoured the region and picked 5 of our favourite things to do, places to be and sights to see with the kids during half term. We hope that it helps you to plan some fantastic family fun, and please let us know what you get up to on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

The presence of Shetland ponies, Dexter cattle, Wiltshire Horn sheep, pygmy goats, boar and guinea fowl on the southwestern outskirts of Bath might cause you to think that Old MacDonald has decamped to the city. They actually belong to Bath City Farm, a 37 acre community organisation which promotes sustainable farming and living. Whilst picturesque walks can be enjoyed over the farmland, the stars of the show are undoubtedly the animals who roam the fields and can be cautiously approached as long as an adult’s in attendance. The pigs, chickens and ducks can be fed with feed from the farm shop, and pony grooming sessions are also occasionally available. To top it all off, entry to this wonderful community experience is absolutely free, although donations are gratefully accepted.

The Egg is a cosy and comfortable theatre dedicated to children and families, and they have a half term agenda packed with adventure and excitement. Wanted: Rabbit gets half term off to a thrilling start with the tale (tail?) of a manhunt (rabbithunt?) for an escaped jailbird (jailrabbit? – enough, Ed.). On Monday, there is evocative storytelling with live musical accompaniment and the rest of the week is occupied by Grandpa’s Railway, a poignant story from the highly acclaimed M6 Theatre Company.

Unless the weather dramatically changes over the next few days, you may have to turn up to Victoria Falls Adventure Golf dressed for the Niagara Falls. However, kids couped up indoors contracting cabin fever is not a pleasant experience, so a trip to the Adventure Golf clad in anoraks may well be the solution. 18 holes of very crazy golf wend their way between waterfalls and over waterways, so there is always a chance of getting splashed even if the weather holds!

In a world… where children are scowled upon in a cinema for the slightest rustling, bustling or fidgeting, what a relief it will be to take your musical minors to a movie theatre where participation is very much encouraged. As far as family films are concerned, Frozen was the big hit of the winter and Bath’s favourite cinema, The Little Theatre, is hosting sing-along screenings at Komedia this half term. Packed with typical Disney belters, this is an event which is sure to bring the house down.

Opened in 2013 to much acclaim, the Two Tunnels Greenway is a cycle path which follows a disused railway line which connects Bath to the Midford Valley, making use of two tunnels which had been blocked off since the Beeching cuts in 1966. The tunnels are both lit and music is played in the lengthier of the two tunnels; best of all they provide shelter from whatever the elements are doing outside. Any grown-ups in the cycling parties will be pleased to know that the route leads past some very pleasant pubs – cycling can be such thirsty work.

As the school bells signal the start of half term, I hope that our blog will help you to feel ready to entertain the whole family this half term. And don’t forget to let us know what you got up to!

Walk into Reside during the winter months and you may see a member of staff huddled over a paperback. You would be forgiven for thinking that they were squeezing in a quick chapter of whatever blockbuster had been left for them under the tree on Christmas morning, but it is far more likely that they will be scrutinising Rightmove’s own festive treat: the Little Blue Book. Packed full of data gleaned from Rightmove during 2013, this tiny tome concisely summarises national property trends during the past 12 months. With the help of this and a brand new report on the private rental sector published by Knight Frank, this blog reviews 2013 and speculates whether 2014 will be a year of merriment or malcontent for Landlords.

Rightmove’s report indicates that demand for rental property has increased dramatically during 2013, with this put down to potential home owners being ‘unable to clear post-2008 deposit hurdles’. However, whilst trends over the last three years have seen the supply of new rental properties to the market dwindle, 2013 has bucked this trend and for the first time in years the gap between supply and demand has diminished. New investors are being tempted to the market by improving returns and a recovery in the sales market, as evidenced by a 29% increase in buy-to-let loans during the third quarter of 2013 compared with the same period during 2012. With this in mind, it seems that 2013 has been a year of real growth for the rental market – both in supply and demand, but is this likely to continue into 2014?

New research carried out by Knight Frank suggests that the 4 million households who currently live in privately rented accommodation in the UK will increase by more than 25% by the end of 2016. Even as the housing market starts to recover and Help to Buy lends a hand to purchasers with smaller deposits, the report speculates that Help to Buy ‘is unlikely to reverse the direction of travel to the private rented sector’. Knight Frank cite a strong likelihood that the scheme may be scaled back, and also the slim chance that the full £12.5 billion in mortgage guarantees offered will be used. The report concludes that this, allied with an economy gaining momentum and creating more demand for employment and therefore rental properties in urban areas, will see the demand in rental properties continue to increase for the foreseeable future.

Knight Frank and Rightmove’s findings are borne out by our own results at Reside, where we have seen the total number of lets agreed per year increase by 53% between 2011 and 2013. We have already felt the impact of the rise in tenant demand this year, as January 2014 was our busiest start to the year ever with the number of viewings carried out during the month up by 39% compared to January 2013.

With tenant demand continuing to increase at the same time as a small resurgence in the housing market, it seems that there has never been a better time to invest in rental property. If you are considering joining the ever-increasing number of investment landlords in or around Bath, or simply wish to keep up with our lettings news, please do not hesitate to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+. Alternatively, our office contact details can be found on our Contact Us page.

It’s the week before Christmas and here at Reside,
We feel it our duty to help and to guide.
We love Bath in winter and have cherry-picked things,
That reflect Christmas and the joy that it brings.

So when you get home from your Christmas excursion
And are indulging in some mince pie immersion,
Or sipping away at your ale or your bitter,
Don’t keep it to yourself, tell us – on Facebook or Twitter.

Bath’s Theatre Royal will be retaining its place in the heart of all panto loving families this Christmas with a production of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan – one of the best-loved stories in children’s literature.

The fun starts when Peter Pan flies into the Darling children’s nursery one night and whisks them off to Neverland. And there the magic begins, with Tinkerbell, Tiger Lily and the Lost Boys, as the children go into combat with Captain Hook and his pirate crew.

There will be flying, special effects, comedy, singing, dancing and lots of audience participation in traditional panto style. Jessica Punch stars as Peter Pan and look out for young dancers from Bath’s Dorothy Coleborn School of Dance playing the Lost Boys.

It’s a good time of year to visit The American Museum as you’ll see it dressed to the nines with traditional decorations throughout. Its crowning glory is a seventeen foot Nordman Fir tree that dominates the Central Hall. This tree is lit with over 1,000 lights and hung with ornaments that have been handmade by staff and volunteers.

Most of the Period Rooms pre-date the celebration of Christmas as we know it today, so the displays show winter activities that were popular during each period. You’ll see festive colours added by costume, textiles, and flowers. Meanwhile the shop has plenty of decorations and gifts if you’re still hunting!

The City of Bath Bach Choir will perform three consecutive nights of carols and Christmas music in the atmospheric, candlelit Pump Room.

In this, its 67th Season, the choir will perform a mixture of traditional and modern Christmas carols, directed by Nigel Perrin and accompanied by Marcus Sealy. The audience will be able to join the choir in singing some of the carols.

Hire those skates and get out on the ice to wobble and fall or dazzle them all. Afterwards, sustenance can be found from a new Christmas Avenue offering mulled wine, mince pies, roasted chestnuts and hot dogs. Keep an eye on the @BathOnIce Twitter feed for special offers, such as their regular 2-for-1 day, and yes – they do have the plastic penguins for those of us with no balance!

Lighting designer Patrick Woodroffe has created a spectacular display in the Museum Garden, with a multicoloured light show accompanied by a soundtrack created by composer Matt Clifford.

Patrick Woodroffe has produced lighting designs for many, including Lady Gaga and The Rolling Stones as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Matt Clifford wrote the score for cult horror film The Return of The Living Dead and toured the world as a keyboard player with bands such as Yes and The Rolling Stones. Scores for the West End include One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and the ballet The Red Shoes.

Merry Christmas from us all here at Reside; we hope that the big day is filled with fine food, good cheer and fun times.